48. With all of this, the Neshamah continues to attack the serpent in order to break it, so that it will surrender and be enslaved under the influence of repentance. Therefore, it is written, "And Abraham passed through the land to the place of Shchem" (Beresheet 12:6), BECAUSE SHCHEM IS THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE SHECHINAH. AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE POWER OF THE SERPENT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETELY BROKEN BY THE NESHAMAH. (End of Sitrei Torah)

68. "To the place of Shchem to the plain of Moreh" MEANS from one side to the other side, as was befitting. "And the Canaanite were then in the land," WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE EVIL SERPENT. It has been explained that at that time the curse of the evil serpent dominated the land, and the world was cursed. As it is written, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren" (Beresheet 9:25), and also "you are cursed above all cattle" (Beresheet 3:14). When Abraham came close to the Holy One, blessed be He, it is written, "And Hashem appeared to Abraham" (Beresheet 12:7). Now was revealed to him that which he did not know, because of the profound force that governed the land. Thus appeared to him what had been concealed from him, and he was able to understand it.

80. Sitrei Torah (Concealed Torah). The verse, "And Abraham passed through the land to the place of Shchem," alludes to the synagogue, the place where the Shechinah resides. As it is written, "Moreover I have given to you one portion (Heb. shchem)" (Beresheet 48:22), SO SHCHEM is the Shechinah, which is fit for JOSEPH, as he is called 'righteous.' Because righteousness, WHICH IS THE SHECHINAH, does not reside anywhere else but in the righteous, WHO IS JOSEPH. This is the meaning of "to the place of Shchem," REFERRING TO THE PLACE OF THE SHECHINAH - TO THE SYNAGOGUE. "To the plain of Moreh" alludes to Torah-learning academies, where they teach and instruct Torah to the public.